Trump classified documents case descends into shouting match over ‘garbage’ extortion claims

trump classified documents case descends into shouting match over ‘garbage’ extortion claims

Walt Nauta is charged with helping his employer obstruct the government in retrieving classified documents at Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida - MARCO BELLO/AFP via Getty Images

A hearing for one of Donald Trump’s criminal cases descended into a shouting match over “garbage” extortion claims.

Stanley Woodward, a defence lawyer representing the former president’s valet, claimed prosecutors had threatened to derail his promotion to judge if his client did not work with the investigation against Mr Trump.

The claim prompted a furious response from prosecutor David Harbach, who was eventually told to calm down by the judge as he pounded the lectern in front of him.

It marks yet another chaotic development in the case, which was due to start this week but has been delayed indefinitely amid a litany of pre-trial issues.

Mr Trump, who was not present at Wednesday’s hearing, faces 40 felony charges over mishandling classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. US state secrets were allegedly stored in locations including a ballroom and a shower at the club.

Walt Nauta, a valet to the former president, is charged with helping his employer obstruct the government in retrieving those documents.

trump classified documents case descends into shouting match over ‘garbage’ extortion claims

Donald Trump faces 40 felony charges over mishandling classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida - Curtis Means/Bloomberg

Mr Woodward, acting for Mr Nauta, said he was under consideration to be elevated to a judge by Joe Biden, the US president, but prosecutors suggested they could derail this if his client did not work with investigators.

“I think the implication was that I was to travel and convince Mr Nauta to cooperate with the investigation, and if I didn’t, there would be consequences,” he told the court.

As a result, he argued, Mr Nauta had been subjected to a “selective and vindictive prosecution” by the government.

Mr Harbach became agitated when Aileen Cannon, the judge, asked if he kept a record of the meeting with Mr Woodward in August 2022.

‘A garbage argument. It did not happen’

It was a “garbage argument” made up to get the charges against his client dismissed, Mr Harbach insisted.

“Mr Woodward’s story of what happened at that meeting is a fantasy,” he shouted, pounding the lectern in front of him. “It did not happen.”

He added, reportedly while waving his arms: “This is a lawyer whose allegations amount basically to him being extorted.”

Judge Cannon reprimanded the prosecutor, saying: “I’m going to have to ask that you calm down.”

She questioned the lack of evidence about the conversation in August 2022. Prosecutors said they had preserved any record they had of the meeting – although it was not recorded.

Mr Woodward promptly offered to testify under oath about the conversation.

Mr Harbach also hit back at claims that Mr Nauta was being singled out for prosecution, claiming he had lied to FBI agents and a grand jury while deleting video evidence.

“Show me someone who has done all that and I’ll show you someone indicted,” he said.

Mr Nauta faces six federal charges, including conspiracy to obstruct justice, withholding a document or record, corruptly concealing a document, and concealing a document in a federal investigation. All carry a maximum sentence of up to 20 years.

Judge Cannon did not issue a ruling from the bench on Mr Nauta’s motion to dismiss the case.

At another point she told Mr Harbach to keep his voice down as he whispered to members of his team while Mr Woodward was talking.

Play The Telegraph’s brilliant range of Puzzles - and feel brighter every day. Train your brain and boost your mood with PlusWord, the Mini Crossword, the fearsome Killer Sudoku and even the classic Cryptic Crossword.

OTHER NEWS

5 minutes ago

In defeat, Oilers' Connor McDavid wins Conn Smythe Trophy

5 minutes ago

Stock market today: Asian stocks follow Wall Street rise, but Nvidia tumbles again as AI mania cools

5 minutes ago

More Americans are ending up in Russian jails. Prospects for their release are unclear

5 minutes ago

Time line of tensions over Iran's nuclear program ahead of presidential election

5 minutes ago

Tennessee wins its first Men's College World Series title

5 minutes ago

Indonesia won't pay an $8 million ransom after a cyberattack compromised its national data center

5 minutes ago

Alec Baldwin attorneys argue damage to gun during testing was unacceptable destruction of evidence

5 minutes ago

South Korean rescuers search burned factory after a blaze killed 22, mostly Chinese migrants

5 minutes ago

Ukraine and Moldova set to launch EU membership talks

5 minutes ago

Courts block aspects of Biden’s hallmark student loan repayment plan

5 minutes ago

China's Chang'e 6 probe lands back on Earth, with first ever samples from the less explored far side of the moon

5 minutes ago

Timeline of the Julian Assange legal saga over extradition to the US on espionage charges

5 minutes ago

Wide open women’s draw and Murray swansong in doubt – Wimbledon talking points

5 minutes ago

Andy Murray Wimbledon legacy assured even if injuries deny him a farewell

5 minutes ago

Plastic Free July: How to do your bit in the garden

5 minutes ago

Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner favourites as Novak Djokovic may miss Wimbledon

5 minutes ago

Cher determination: Inside the skill, scandal and survival of pop’s most immortal star

5 minutes ago

Jay Slater missing – latest: Father describes ‘living hell’ as footage shows teen in club before disappearance

5 minutes ago

Holly Willoughby kidnap trial – live: Gavin Plumb spoke of ‘ultimate fantasy’ to abduct TV host, court told

5 minutes ago

Starmer warned rescuing ‘dangerously underfunded’ fire service must be a first priority as prime minister

5 minutes ago

Carlos Alcaraz, Iga Swiatek and Jack Draper among 10 to watch at Wimbledon

5 minutes ago

How to become socially fit and have a good conversation with absolutely anyone

5 minutes ago

General election - latest: More Met Police officers investigated as betting scandal dominates Sunak’s campaign

5 minutes ago

How to get a garden room installed – and what it will cost

5 minutes ago

Royal news – live: Princess Anne suffers ‘temporary memory loss’ after being kicked by horse

5 minutes ago

Jack Draper heads to Wimbledon riding crest of a wave

5 minutes ago

Role of leading lady proving perfect fit for Katie Boulter ahead of Wimbledon

5 minutes ago

Trigger Warning is making people ‘boycott’ Netflix – but it’s too dreadful to be offensive

5 minutes ago

England v Slovenia LIVE: Updates and teams news ahead of the Three Lions’ final group game

5 minutes ago

July 2024 dates for benefits and pensions after cost of living payments

5 minutes ago

Professional chefs share their favourite strawberry recipes

5 minutes ago

National Institute of Education to get new director from July 1

5 minutes ago

Atome Financial gets up to $135 million debt facility from EvolutionX for expansion

5 minutes ago

Michelin Guide Singapore: 4 restaurants earn one star; Meta now has two stars

5 minutes ago

Afghanistan beat Bangladesh to reach semi-finals, Australia go home

5 minutes ago

Jazz pianist Jeremy Monteiro laments stagnant $150 a gig wage for musicians in Singapore

5 minutes ago

Bird flu spreads to tenth Australian poultry farm

5 minutes ago

Athing Mu falls at US trials, will not defend Olympic 800m title

5 minutes ago

Lady Gaga spotted wearing a custom Malaysian designer dress for Las Vegas show

5 minutes ago

Scottie Scheffler breaks Tiger Woods’ 6-month OWGR record